Leica M-Monochrom Hands-on Preview

Leica has long been a manufacturer happy to exploit niche markets - its M9 may be a fascinating camera to shoot with, but the company's adherence to the near-obsolete, manual focus rangefinder design, coupled with its distinctly exclusive pricing ensures its cameras will only ever be enjoyed by a few. However, we can't think of any of its products that combine 'fascinating' and 'niche' as well as its latest creation - the Leica M-Monochrom. As the name suggests, the Monochrom is a truly black-and-white camera, with no filter array to allow the capture of color information.

Just as any discussion between former film photographers will eventually come 'round to the idea of a dedicate manual focus digital camera with the large, bright split-prism viewfinder they remember from their film-shooting days, it was almost as inevitably touch on the idea of a black-and-white digital camera. But it's not just nostalgia that makes the idea of a monochrome camera sound appealing - especially on a system famed for its (expensively achieved) high quality lenses.

Removing the color filter array from the front of a sensor has several advantages. There are certainly benefits in terms of noise, mainly because all the light hitting the sensor is available to be captured, rather than just one color being allowed through to each sensor location. But also, because noise isn't spread by a demosaicing process, the noise pattern doesn't appear to muddy detail. These two factors see the camera's maximum ISO increase to 10,000, rather than the M9's 2,500.

However, the biggest advantage is resolution - each captured pixel gives one output pixel, with none of the detail-blurring combining of neighboring data that demosaicing inevitably brings. As a result, the M-Monochrom immediately trumps even the low-pass-filter-less M9 for sharpness. Given the reputation of Leica lenses, this has immediate appeal.

There are drawbacks, of course - the 'headroom' found in Raw files comes mainly from the fact that bright regions have usually only over-exposed one of the three color channels, with usable data still available for the other two channels. With a true mono sensor, any overexposure is absolute - once the channel has clipped to white, there's no chance of recovery. Equally, anyone who has got used to producing mono images by converting color images, with all the selective color mixing that brings, will have to get used to pulling the correct color filter out of their camera bag at the point of capture.

And that is a challenge - the best black and white images are the result of a tonal response that is perfectly matched to the subject, usually as the result of extensive darkroom or post-processing work. With only five contrast settings to select in the camera, even with perfect exposure, it'll probably take a bit of Raw processing to get the best out of each image. The M-Monochrome shoots 34.7MB DNG files (there's no compression option), for users willing to make the effort.

Interface changes

The challenge of getting correct exposure are somewhat reduced because the histogram is not influenced by color or white balance. Leica says the histogram is based on Raw data (rather than the preview JPEG, which many cameras use), to give a clear understanding of what has and hasn't been captured. Still being based on a revised version of the M9's 18MP Kodak CCD means the Monochrom still can't offer live view, so this histogram is only available after you've taken your shot.

Beyond this, changes to the existing M9 interface are minimal - the saturation and colorspace options have been removed from the menu, and white balance has been excised from the 'Set' quick menu but otherwise it's almost unchanged. The camera has slightly more sophisticated highlight and shadow clipping warnings than the M9, it also gains three 'toning' options, each with two intensity levels, but those are the only additional options. The toning options are Sepia, Cold and Selenium.

Given the cost of buying into the Leica system, it's not surprising that Leica expects most buyers to come from the pool of existing M owners. However, in addition to M8 and 9 users, Leica clearly also hopes some film shooters who haven't embraced digital will appreciate the apparent simplicity and quality that native mono shooting brings. When explaining the camera to us, Leica repeatedly returned to the word 'authentic' and it's this desire for an 'authentic' shooting experience that we think will sell this camera.

Leica M-Monochrom specifications

18MP CCD monochrome sensor (24 x 36mm)

No anti-aliasing filter

No color filter array

ISO 320-10,000 (with a 'Pull 160*' option)

2.5" 230,000 dot rear LCD

Supplied with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro 2

*Pull 160 is essentially the ISO 320 setting given 1EV extra exposure, with a different tone curve to give the correct final image brightness. The result is a reduction in highlight dynamic range, compared to the full ISO settings.

M-Monochrom - color sensitivity

It may seem odd to think about the M-Monochrom's sensitivity to different colors, since it can't distinguish between them. However, as with mono film, the best results from the Monochrom come from adding colored filters in front of the lens. For this to work, the camera needs to be fairly similarly sensitive to light from all across the visible spectrum (it needs to be panchromatic). We asked Leica whether it had needed to add any color filter to the sensor, to balance-out its sensitivity to different wavelengths of visible light, and were told it hadn't.

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If I had any illusions that shooting b&w with the Monochrom would be easy or simple, that illusion is gone. The difference between an average take and a really good one are striking. It's tempting to view those average captures and imagine getting the same result with any camera and b&w conversions, but when you get lucky (or if you're the 21st century Ansel Adams) there's no need for imagination - the results can be spectacular. I have a number of b&w prints from a Rollei 5.7 cm square shooter, and some of the Monochrom images I have approach the look of those Rollei b&w's - quite a feat I think for a small digital camera.

first of all, pictures aren't just for viewing on a monitor: that is supposed to be for triage and editing. pictures can also be made into very nice prints, in case you forgot ;-) and the whole point is, you get so much more detail, than if you were to just convert a color photo to monochrome - about 3 times as much detail in fact. and more nuances in the shades of grey. it just has a different feel to it. the sort of thing you can't quite put your finger on, but that is so soothing to the eye.

You might be viewing the images on a RGB monitor, but you only print them in black. Also why should they bother with a higher res monitor, you only really need an idea of your image, it's a return to the days of wait until it's developed, and printed before you can really tell what you've shot.I prefer using mine with an Orange filter, and playing with the contrast as in different grades of paper.Also with a higher res monitor, wouldn't it use the battery faster?

If I read the preview correctly, this camera has far less dynamic range than black and white film and is very intolerant of overexposure. If Leica had managed to improve on both the resolution AND the dynamic range of film, they would have been onto something. As it is, why wouldn't someone who already owns Leica glass just buy a Leica film body (or dust off the one that's already in their closet)? There is at least one lab in the US that will do 16Mp scans of film as they develop it, making it easy to maintain a parallel digital work flow while enjoying the superior IQ of film.

DSLR owners have more logical ways of shooting b&w too. Used high-end film bodies are shockingly inexpensive and for those who'd rather be 100% digital, the combination of Nik Silver Efex Pro and a 24Mp+ body is going to get better results and be much more user-friendly than this Leica.

It would be interesting to hear from someone that's used both the MM and a film Leica--maybe I'm missing something.

The Nikon D800 can't keep up resolution-wise. And at base ISO, my new 5dIII noise is apparent and I miss the clean files of my recently sold M9.

http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/05/27/leica-m-monochrom-vs-d800e/

This is a 'niche within a niche' product - however looking at the postings on various forums, the Monochrom sure has something going for it. Despite the price, I'm torn between the M/240 and the MM as an eventual companion to my 5dIII.

The quality of the images I've shot with the MM are superb. It's an excellent camera, rangefinders are incredible tools to work with, there are fewer telephoto lenses than with a big clunky all singing dancing DSLR. Regarding the near obsolete manual focus that I believe has enabled photographers to regain the 'artistic' side to our image creation medium.

You do have to take more care with your exposure, but didn't you have to do the same with film?

Also, being a completely black camera, it is very sexy as sexy as a camera could be? Leica have brought old-style photography up-to-date.

M9 Monochrom is the biggest joke i ever heard .Not happy enough to limit the possibility of a camera ( only black and white ),with the excuse to give higher resolution and iso .You sell it for more money .Human stupidity have no limit

The old 'masters' never needed a better screen, if you are going to use this it will be the old way focus recompose shoot. If you want more tele power, a different brand is suggested. For those of us luddites never quite used to AF, and lenses that have the magnificent image capturing qualities, I can't wait. This is the first bridge type camera, it's what many have been longing for.

Anyone who wants colour/ AF there are many other cameras to choose from. Looks brilliant!

Hey, Sad Joe, "Hand of God" doesn't apply here. It refers to extreme dodging in the darkroom, creating an inverse halo around the subject. I'm sure the glass and the image quality are fantastic,but you have to be dedicated to monochrome images to justify this purchase. As to the images, they come from the eye, not the equipment.

This is my first posting to ANY website, but I feel the need to say something. I have used Leica cameras since 1978. I have gone thru periods of not having them, but always returned to having at least one or two. Frankly, they have been my favorite shooter, even for sports. Even now after having a stroke, they remain my favorite. Yes, I have Hassy, Canon, Sinar and a number of other kool cameras...but I always head back to the simple beauty of the sweet Leica shutter stroke. (Yes, the repeat of the word "stroke" is intended. Bad joke.). Always for me the choice was digital shooting in color and converting it to b&w for my personal work. This I did not like. Leica, by adding a b&w camera, has met my somewhat weird needs. I have to say "thanks". Now I just have to start saving my meager funds to get one....maybe 2-3 years. Darn it.

I love the idea of this camera and it is different than others. Just perfect. The world is colorful (http://www.vr-head.com/english/mk-wave/index.html) or black & white, playful and creative. The market offers a camera for every type.

Photographer1968 presumes that we are not REAL photographers. Are there UNREAL or IMAGINARY photographers? He/she should pay attention to what he/she reads, unless he/she is the ONLY photographer out there.

I agree that LEICA means excellent lenses but also, even though he/she doesn't mention it, incredible workmanship and quality that is synonymous with the brand, even if it is a Veblen good.

I LOVE the idea of a new Leica designed just to shoot B/W, I LOVE the idea of using top grade kit that's been engineered rather than simply thrown together, BUT - I KNOW that this camera will fall into the hands of a few professional endorsers rolled out to sing its praises (of course they’ll get the kit free and be paid for their warm comments) ..a good job if you can get it.And perhaps a few rich photographers will buy a copy but never open the box as its an investment.

Checked out your sample images – sorry didn’t see the ‘Hand of God’ in the images – I would expect no less given the price.

Think if I had that much money I’d buy a handful of Fuji X Pro’s – not a perfect camera I agree – but at least I could afford to keep one just for B/ W use. If Fuji are as clever as they think they are (?) they should bring out a whole range of B & W film profiles for the X Pro just to make a point and show up the new Leica for what it (sadly) is ... a toy.

Unbelievable comments on here. Seriously. I presume that none of you are REAL photographers.Leica is synonymous with the simplicity and beauty of our photography. I am a b/w tog and l love this camera and Leica lenses are the best in the world. Take the 50mm 0.95 for example. It may be ridiculously expensive to the novice, but to a person who is passionate about photography, it's a dream. You can keep your plastic Nikons, Canons, Minoltas and whatever else you use - give me a Leica with no bells nor whistles and i'm in heaven. Would you all even know what to do with a camera that couldn't think for you? lol l fear not having read these ignorant comments.Perfection is not for everyone and in truth, a great photographer can take an awesome photo whether on a Leica, iPhone or pinhole camera. Look at Bill Brandt's pinhole series.Having said that, the glass in Leica's lenses are beyond exceptional.Go figure.

I learnt how to manually focus, set the aperture, and develop to negatives myself, this camera looks fantastic staying true to the idea of image creation, rather than the the idea of what the camera is telling you it wants to do. Looks to be a dream camera, one you would only want if you knew how to take photographs!

I have owned a Rolleiflex, several Nikons, fewer Canons, the first Fuji with electronic controls, one Contax, a great Hasselblad and one incredible Leica rangefinder. All this nonsense about the Monochrome is interesting but whimsical. Leica is all about its lenses and craftmanship, there is no question about it. No other camera "feels" like driving a Ferrari; only Leica. Is it expensive? Yes, very. Is it worth it? Depends on your income. Would I buy one? Yes, some day. The pleasure of taking the time to make a photograph with a Leica is an experience all in its own.

Yes - but this isn't a real Leica -its a Kodak Sensor inside a Leica body. Real Leica's shoot FILM. If Leica could get way with Panasonic making the M9 etc for them they would - would the price come down ? Never ! Sadly Leica is now a fashion brand - I admit their a dream and the lenses beyond compare - but apart from a few ravers (rich ravers) they are purchased as expensive toys or investments.

It seems like the limitations of highlight clipping for a sensor without a color filter array could be solved by something like the Fuji EXR system where there's are 2 sets of photosites where one set is highly sensitive for shadows and the other set is less sensitive for highlights. Not sure how much resolution you'd lose with this approach but it would be cool to have the extra DR.

There would be some color artifacts, but another approach would be to use a sensor similar to a Foveon sensor, where the bottom layer only gets what the top layer doesn't. Maybe it could function a completely different way -- absorbing the overflow by bloom rather than transmittance.

By the way, I noticed some moire in one of the sample photos -- a cityscape. The bright wall near center of the frame shows moire. It's not very objectionable, but it's probably useful to study where moire can impact an image.

@shaocaholica, you're exactly right, except it's not the EXR you want, it's the older sensor, the SR II. That's the one that masked every other cell with a "pinhole" aperture.

As a color sensor, it was quirky, at best, but operated as monochrome, the images were stunning. Either processed with the mImage local monochrome algorithm or filtered to monochrome 900nm IR.

I was actually working with Fuji to market "Bayer-less" versions when Fuji pulled the plug on their DSLR program. Now, that sensor is literally "gone".

@victor, no color artifacts in a monochrome SR. Surprisingly few sampling artifacts, either. The only time you were running on just the big S (or "shadow") pixels, was in deep shadows, and the only time you're running on just the small R pixels is in highlights. Most of the image gives you usable data in both the S and R pixels, so for midtones, the camera is just an "ordinary" monochrome digital.

What is becoming apparent is that this camera will require a very different approach to exposure, namely exposing for the highlights and pulling up the shadows in post processing. Leica M's weighted metering does not help. I suspect the images posted here will have been based on that average metering. Other previewers have pointed to the ability to pull up shadows from the raw files.

Furthermore, as noted in this preview photographers will need a set of filters to get the tones right. I suspect these sample shots did not use such filters.

These features will make the camera a challenge to fully exploit. For most photographers the alternatives, such as the D800 or the expected M10, will allow them to attain excellent work with less effort and without a major shift in shooting technique. I, for one, look forward to seeing how this camera will perform "in the right hands".

what do you get, when you put a reborn Leica Co after going bankrupt, together with an almost defunct Kodak company making their sensors, well, the niche products that have very poor after sale service, cameras that are about two years behind the market curve in developments, etc.

In the analog era, the investment in R&D by Leica was quite limited, after all in 50 years basically nothing much was ever changed. THen came the digital era, and they were left in the dust, not understanding exactly what had hit them. Their product line, late on any measure in the development curve vs the market.

Last I heard from their own employees, was that they were so strapped for cash they could not invest in having a modicum of inventory to supply dealers in a timely manner, let alone all the developments needed in R&D.

Kodak also was a great name, even one of the early developers of digital cameras, but what they did not have was an idea of what to do with it all.

Second, Leica buys sensors through whoever builds their electronics. The X1 and X2 electronics were built by a company that uses Sony sensors, as is, from my best sources, the M10. The M9 and S2 electronics were designed by Phase One using Kodak sensors.

That sensor operation was sold last year to Platinum Equity, for a fair price (not a "fire sale" or liquidation of assets, like Mamiya and Leaf) is now operating as "Turesense", and their fate isn't tied to Kodak.

You accuse pedromeyer of lying, but if so then why Leica add features like years after everyone does? And what's with ISO? If iso doesn't matter, why they widen the range every year? But if it does matter, why can't Leica produce a modern camera with specs that at least on par with Canon and Nikon. I don't believe Leica. They are a bunch of liars with yesterdays technologies. Why nobody admits that Leica now is nothing but a prestige luxury brand that once was great but since digital era began they left behind in last century.

The more I read and look at the specs of this new masterpiece of deception, the new Monochrome Leica M9, the more I have to wonder the sanity of those who invest in this sort of equipment. Of course photography is the least of the issues at hand, as if it was really about making great pictures, what you need and want is the equipment with the greatest possible flexibility to offer you a wide choice of options from which to select the most appropriate ones according to what you are about to take pictures off.

Now to have the privilege to spend twice as much money for a fraction of the options, is about having to look in a mirror and ask yourself is you are totally deluded or what.

Take a 34 megapixiel file from the new Nikon with a Zeiss lens, and then compare it with the 18 Monochrome from Leica, and you have to scratch your head how they could even sell one camera body.

Furthermore, you have the choice of creating the image in b&w or color among two hundred other benefits.

Another forum comment from the inexperienced. Though I obviously have no experience with the m monochrom, I do have extensive experience with a M9, S2, and phase one 180 back. Yes the price/value of state of the art is a personal question. But don't for one minute think the difference in image quality is simply marketing hyperboly. To acknowledge this level of quality is beyond your means is respectable. To dismiss it as marketing bs just displays ignorance.

"what you need and want is the equipment with the greatest possible flexibility to offer you a wide choice of options from which to select the most appropriate ones according to what you are about to take pictures off"

This is correct for some cases, but it does not apply when you consider having more than one option (in this case, camera). I would be very surprised if any Leica MM buyer would have this as their only camera. We have a phrase "horses for courses" which implies different tools for different jobs. Sure there are versatile Swiss Army knives, but there are also chopsticks, forks, spoons and knives.

I get your point that just like chopsticks are not necessary in many households, this camera won't be either. It is a device for a specific task.

My comment was not about presuming to know photographers equipment needs. The flexibility you need in your equipment is directly related to your budget and the scope of photography you do. If you do fast sports photography you certainly don't need a M Leica.

I was simply conveying my frustration with people who like to share their strong opinions of equipment they clearly have no experience with.

Yes everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I would just like to see more of those opinions be backed with a little more data / experience.

I respect the aggressiveness and creativity of Asian manufacturers, but only one European company with a great tradition of the photo black and white could launch a camera like this. Since the beginning of digital photography, knowing the number of lovers of flimes BW, I always wondered how a camera that would photograph only in BW. Well Leica gave us this gift, now we shoot like we want: black-and-white. I'll wait for the messages of our colleagues, because this camera will take a while to arrive in Brazil.It is very expensive! My friend, passion is priceless. Be creative, work and earn money to live your pleasure Long life for BW

doesnt work, look at L1000262-DNG for example, everything is the same drab shade of grey and subject is lost in the background. That's what you get from the luminace channel with no RGB weighting. Look at B/W photography (especially movies) from the 1940s-50s and see how gorgeous the images are. Those movies all made use of color filtration in conjunction with the native color response of the film to get the compostion across. Unless Leica can match that this is a useless toy for the filthy rich.

I really hate this fan boys thing... OK.. if you have lots of money, buy this Leica...and guys, if you just have money to spend for canon, nikon, etc... don't bother complaining about this leica. just go out .. and do some photograph. lots of people become rich from any type of camera....

There are a lot of photographers (professional and amateur) shooting exclusively in B+W. Ok, the price is way too high. But there is no other digital range finder with good old mechanical manual focus. Look at the samples, I think they are excellent. L1000090 for example. Beautiful grey scaling.

I suspect that Leica did not want to change anything since the M9 except for the image making aspects. Installing a new high resolution LCD screen would have required a huge change in the manufacturing aspects. And that would have made the new camera even more expensive ..... AND M9 owners would have complained and expected Leica to install the new LCD in their cameras, free of charge. ..... So, this all makes a lot of sense from a financial point of view.

Seems to me like it would make sense to have the LCD super hi-res (e.g. 921,000 pixels) without color filters. It would make it match the sensor and give superior brightness and reviewing ability, losing color only in the menu system which seems a great compromise to make for the benefits.Having a crappy screen on this camera is inexcusable. Not the right place to save a few $$ and definitely doesn't serve potential customers.

pedromeyer, you should handle M body at leas once before making such pointless remarks

Leica has an _OPTICAL_ viewfinder and analog controls on a body. Actually you can use Leica without LCD at all so resolution of an LCD is irrelevant. And please do not tell LCD on any body good enough to evaluate IQ of a digital image. Even peal apart Polaroid controls are so-so.

BTW your iPAQ .. or sorry it was COMPAQ logo LOL... Jobs was not creative enough even to come with a decent logo whatever iApple peace of c. build upon technologies stealed by Jobs from other companies you own is just an overpriced peace of c. :)

Theres no reason -not- to have a high end, high spec 920k LCD on a $8k camera in 2012. Even if you don't need it to take photos. You could say the same for any DSLR with body exposure controls and an optical viewfinder yet they all for the most part have 920K+ LCDs now even on most entry level models.

There are countless over spec, over engineered and over priced components on the digital Ms. Its just strange the LCD isn't one of them and it stands out much more than the rest.

shaocaholica, I absolutely agreed with you that a better articulated LCD on a M body would not hurt but would not improve anything either because there is major difference actually.

The M body is a manual controlled RF body so photographer has to look through optical viefinder to adjust focus that is how optical RF works. While snapping with DSLR of autofocus P&S you can use LCD for shooting on M body you cannot. You have to use optical RF viewfinder.

Regarding improvement yes Leica did a major one - new APO prime lens. That is how real improvements for a decent photosystem should be done actually.

Actually DSLRs aren't made with the intent of shooting with the screen. That's an option on some, but it's less than ideal. Just like a rangefinder, they're made to be shot using the viewfinder, and yet much cheaper DSLRs have much higher resolution screens.

I really do like the Monochrom, but I also really don't think they have an excuse for such a cheap screen.

Ixstorm, you should try using an M body with a lens on, rather than just handing the body, before you make disparaging comments to pedromeyer.

Or maybe just try thinking.

Then you would discover / remember that you can't use the wonderful _OPTICAL_ viewfinder to inspect the photographs _AFTER_ you have taken them.

Maybe you should also try using an iPhone. Then you would discover that its not just a much better as a camera, than any M series is as a phone, but its also much better for reviewing the photographs that it has taken, then the M series is.

And if you weren't such an Apple hating bigot then you might go on to discover that the new iPad with a 2048x1536 screen and RAW format processing built in, is the best mobile extension to an M8/M9 available.

People nagging and complaining about those masterpieces are just prooving enviousness. Either because they can't effort a Leica or just because they're too poor in skill to apprehend what its made for.

For those who desire to own a Leica, and are short of money - well then, Leica have some bridge and compact cameras in their line-up. But be warned, they're expensive, too.

The M series survives because dispensing with the reflex mirror allows short focal length lenses to have back elements very close to the film/sensor plane. That is a good compromise for certain types of photography. Not a philosophy.

In the next few years high definition electronic view finders will surpass optical view finders (i.e. their angular resolution will be as good as your eye, or the primary sensor, and the advantages of using the primary optics will then dominate).

Before then Leica need to solve the problems of tight angles of incidence on digital sensors, and then replace or reposition the M to be the best in class electronic viewfinder camera capable of getting the best out of the existing M series lenses, and having its own new lens series optimised for the new situation. And improve body build quality.

I doubt that Leica can do this. Perhaps they should sell themselves to Apple.

Wow - alot of people completely missing the entire point. Why even bother making comparisons to another camera brand? The fact is the M Monochrom is a rangefinder. NO ONE else makes a digital rangefinder! For people like me who prefer to use a rangefinder (especially digital), there is no other option. Personally, I just don't enjoy using a DSLR anymore, I have no desire to use one ever again.

If you're happy using a DSLR and you can make the images you want, that's great and I'm happy for you! But complaining about the price of Leica makes as much sense as complaining that Lamborghini, Ferrari and other luxury brands are too expensive...

The problem with that is that the Fuji X100 isn't a rangefinder. A lot of people seem to think that rangefinders are defined by an optical viewfinder in the corner. But they're really defined by a barely-noticeable window to the left of the lens (when you're facing the camera) or above the lens in some cases. That's what allows for the rangefinder-exclusive method of focusing.

you don't purchase a Leica to take better pictures, any more than you buy a Rolex to get a better record of time. It's all a bunch of nonsense to discuss the unique quality of pictures made with a Leica, as most of the time, the LEICA is so slow that you will miss out on the great images, to start out with. If I compare my Canon with the Leica, the Canon runs circles around the Leica ( and I have them both). So let us be honest with ourselves, the Leica is not a very competent tool to make images. No one, I assure you, will be able to see a picture and say, well that could only have been achieved with a Leica. That might have been true, circa 1950, but today in the digital age? not a chance. Leica's business model is not about making the best cameras to take pictures, but to sell to those who enjoy the feel and quality of an almost hand made tool. A Cartier watch, if you know what I mean.

Leica is all about the glass. Nobody makes better lenses. Canon makes some very good lenses, but in terms of bokeh, microcontrast and overall rendering of the scene, Leica runs circles around both Canon and Nikon. If you can't see the difference, that says more about your shortcomings as a photographer than the Leica.

Maybe you would like to consider, speaking about glass, that Zeiss makes some pretty astounding quality lenses as well, and these stand up to Leica lenses very comfortably. And my Canon, and Sony cameras at close to 25 million pixels, with some Zeiss lenses, are shear magic as to what they register. If we are talking about making pictures. Now if you are talking about jewels, my wife loves her diamonds useless as they might be.

And as to Hugo's remark, about being or not a very good photographer, I don't think that this is the subject of this debate. BTW, HCB died when the digital cameras were for him not even an option. I suggest you re read what I wrote, about the fifties, which when he made his pictures.

Some people just need to upgrade their internal chip, to acknowledge they are no longer operating in the fifties and the values that prevailed then. Leica did not go broke for nothing. They simply did not understand what was going on.

The reason it all takes so long to be delivered by Leica is because the Co does not have the cash flow to finance their needs adequately. Imagine they only service their cameras in Germany, so when, as happens all too often, something goes wrong it is a major event to resolve the obstacles of their tech support. For instance with the equipments having to cross customs in different countries.

You can't be a world wide player, and then act locally, its nuts. And it is only going to get more complicated.

Leica lenses although expensive, you won't lose money! seriously. I have spent so much on so many system but Leica lenses are worth the investment. Better than the stock market! Film body are ok as well. Digital bodies are NOT!!!

Zeiss do have some nice glasses I admit. But the Leica legendary lenses do stands above them. Not the new Summarit series. Sharp is not everything. Look at the Noctiluxes, 75 Summilux, 35lux and even 21mm Super Angulon. All have such nice fingerprint that others can't match. Magical. Just go to flickr and search for the specific lens pictures.

Finally, I do admit I don't buy into this Monchrom digital cam. If you are a true leica fan, shoot film! Forget about the charger and go. This is what Leica is all about. Minimalist and Purist. And you will be amazed at their color retention on E6 as well as their unique fingerprint on Black and White film.

Hugo808 says: "For further information see the work of Henri Cartier Bresson"

Well, Hugo you don´t have idea of what you are saying. HCB pictures were all about "the moment" he managed to capture, not exactly by the micro-contrast, the "3D effect" and all that BS that seems to be so important these days.

Yet another one trick pony -- good resolution in otherwise terrible camera. Has it been 10 years ago and 5 times lower price it would have made some sense. Nowadays, it's nothing more than another curious case of a freak camera from Leica.What would have been a sensation if some manufacturer produced 3 FF sensor system with split prism under $5k retaining other characteristics of high-end DSLRs. I don't know why they don't do that, technology is known, many video cameras had 3CCD system before.